Alicia Villarreal (born Martha Alicia Villarreal Esparza on August 31, 1974, in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico) is a Mexican regional Mexican singer who began her professional career in 1995 as lead singer of Grupo Límite, a grupera band that became one of the biggest in the world. The group released six albums and achieved major success with hits including "Acaríciame," "Te Aprovechas," and "Solo Contigo." Villarreal launched her solo career in 2001 with the ranchera-style album "Soy Lo Prohibido," followed by "Cuando el Corazón se Cruza" in 2004, produced by her husband Cruz Martínez. Her 2006 album "Orgullo de Mujer" reached number eight on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination. She has sold over 10 million albums throughout her career and received multiple awards including Grammy and Latin Grammy recognition. Her music blends traditional Mexican rhythms with contemporary elements, and she has performed at major festivals including the Machaca Festival in Monterrey.